Havana, July 8 (RHC) -- Spain's minister of industry, energy and tourism ratified in Havana on Tuesday his country's interest in strengthening trade and investment relations with Cuba.

Speaking at a working breakfast with the Association of Spanish Businessmen in Cuba, or AEEC, Jose Manuel Soria, said his two-day visit to the Caribbean island aims to provide support to Spanish companies operating in the island and to those seeking to establish themselves here.

Soria said that the economic reforms being pursued by Cuba's government "mark a good route" and open up "extraordinary opportunities."

"I'm going to give you a very clear message: that the Spanish companies that are coming to Cuba, are coming with the aim of being here, with the aim of permanence and with the aim of continuing. And they are companies that want to be here and that have drive," he added.

During his stay in Cuba, the minister will meet with Vice President Ricardo Cabrisas, Foreign Trade and Investment Minister Rodrigo Malmierca and Mining and Energy Minister Alfredo Lopez Valdes, according to a report by EFE.

He will also meet with Ana Teresa Igarza, the director of the Mariel Special Development Zone, one of the main projects underway in Cuba to attract foreign investment.

Soria traveled to Cuba at the head of an important delegation of 75 companies that will participate in a Finance and Investment Seminar and a bilateral business conference.